Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com

Two bridges along U.S. 54 will begin construction this month under the Kansas Department of Transportation, (KDOT).

Those projects include a bridge over Durechen Creek located 7.75 miles north of U.S. 54, and another over the BNSF Railroad located 8.2 miles north of U.S. 54.

Work on the bridge over Durechen creek is slated to begin around Monday, March 10, weather permitting. Drivers should anticipate delays. Temporary traffic signals will reroute traffic through the work zone via one lane, stopping each direction intermittently. Bridge repairs will be done on both lanes and the lane closure will switch from one direction to the other during the project. That work will last about three months, reportedly until mid-June.

At the conclusion of that project, the bridge over the BNSF railroad will be reduced to one lane while repairs are being done. This project will begin in mid-June and last reportedly through mid-October. Drivers will be rerouted in the same manner through a one-way lane that will stop each direction to pass through intermittently. Drivers should anticipate delays. The conclusion of this project is slated to be by the end of October, weather permitting.

Both projects were contracted out to PCI Roads, LLC, of Saint Michael, Minnesota, with a price of $1.5 million.

KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. Current road conditions can be found by visiting www.kandrive.gov or by calling 511. For updates on construction projects in South Central Kansas, visit https://www.ksdot.gov/projects/south-central-kansas-projects.